I hit my 31st birthday and my body went into the crapper!I played four sports in high school and two in college, so I was feeling like my body was totally rejecting me!

Three years ago I was in decent shape...150#, size 10, could run 5-6 miles at a time. I was happy. Then I started having horrible foot pain. I'm a PE and Health teacher, so I'm on my feet ALL DAY LONG. The pain became unbearable, every step excruciating and going to the doctor didn't help at all. They said I need to rest me feet...seriously, HOW? Since I couldn't quit my job I stopped working out. I stopped doing EVERYTHING except going to work. At night my feet would be in so much pain...chronic plantar fasciitis and a heel spur. That's where the sedentary life-style began.

From Aug-Dec 2011 I had a virus attached to me that would not let go and I was sick a lot. Had to take multiple rounds of steroids. I packed on 35# in less than 3 months. This, with my feet, EQUALLED a pathetic life. I got real down on myself and packed on another 10# of pity.

In August 2012 I decided: The PITY PARTY IS OVER! For the next three weeks I was lifting, running eating better - lost 7 pounds - FEELING GOOD...AND THEN - partially ruptured my achilles!! Tore half of it right off the heel bone (same foot as the heel spur.) I had two weeks of feeling sorry for myself, then I got my act together and hit the gym again.

So I was FAT/OBESE with a tall boot on hitting the weights. I was embarrassed to be lifting and being so fat. But I had my sights set on a better ME. In November 2012, the boot came off and NOTHING WAS GOING TO STOP ME.... Check out my Progress Pics to see the rest of my journey!

I had been a personal trainer for 10 years and I've been a Health/PE teacher for 11 years. I like being active and love being a positive role model to the 1000s of students I come in contact with.

I LOVE busting out 30-40 push ups WHILE talking about proper form in front of my students like it's nothing...because, well, it is :)